Verse For the Young at Heart
Here are three poems for the child in you and me.
Grunge The Grump
Grunge the Grump just could not laugh
No matter how he tried.
Outwardly he always frowned,
Though inwardly he smiled.
He did not have a single friend,
Which really made him sad,
For whenever he approached someone
they thought that he looked mad.
A kind and very gentle soul,
He would not harm a fly.
But when the children saw his face
They ran away and cried.
His only friends were animals
Like dogs and cats and birds,
Who appreciated kindness
And gave it in return.
Grunge used to sit at home alone,
And shed a silent tear.
"Why can't I have a smiling face
And not this awful sneer?"
One day he sat beside a brook
Beneath a shady tree,
And as he sat he sang a song
As tuneful as could be.
The song was filled with love and joy,
And all things that are good.
His voice was strong but gentle,
And clearly understood.
As he sang, the forest rang,
And people gathered 'round.
Come one, come all, from near and far,
To hear this lovely sound.
From that day on Grunge sang his songs,
And people shouted "More!"
Everyone became his friend,
And knocked upon his door.
No more frightened of his face,
The children sat and cheered,
For Grunge the Grump sang happy songs
That they enjoyed to hear.
How could someone with a face so sad
Sing like no other ever had?
Words of joy, of hope, and love,
Of birds, of flowers, and God above.
Grunge's face still wears a frown,
But now he's loved from town to town.
And though no smile invades his face
At least kind Grunge has found his place.
Off To School Blues
At 8.00am it's time to go,
The bus is on it's way.
"Hurry up or you'll be late!"
The way we start each day.
"Have you brushed your teeth, and hair,
Got money for the bus?
Don't forget your lunch again,
Quick you have to rush.
Your homework book is on the floor,
And there's your jar of Clag.
Go and pick them up right now,
And put them in your bag."
"I want to take this to my class,
Today is 'show and tell'."
"You cannot take dead mice to school,
They're dirty and they smell."
"Goodbye kids, be on your way,
I'll see you all tonight.
Remember when you cross the road
To look both left and right."
At 8.15 they are out the door,
And racing on their way.
They reach the stop before the bus.
THANK GOD IT'S LATE TODAY!
The Dragon's Gate
She played by the rusty old rickety gate
In the falling down wood picket fence,
Whenever she went to Grandma's house.
To her family it didn't make sense.
Amy was a little red-headed girl,
Just three and a half years old,
She had a very inquiring mind
And embraced everything she was told.
Her Mommy and Daddy they loved her so,
But they had to work every day,
So Amy went to Grandma's house
Where she loved to explore and play.
One day as she played in the garden alone
The gate creaked and she looked up surprised.
A tiny green dragon appeared on the top,
Right in front of her little-girl eyes.
A child never doubts what he or she sees,
They believe in things adults cannot.
Among all the trees, the flowers and the bees,
Was a creature from folk-tales forgot.
"Dear child!" he exclaimed in a high chirpy voice,
"I have lingered here many a year,
For one with a pure and innocent heart
Who can look on me without fear."
"Are you a real dragon?" the little girl asked
With eyes full of wonder and glee.
He just opened his mouth and expelled a flame,
"If you truly believe, it can be."
Each day Amy played with her fantasy friend.
He'd relate wondrous tales to her ears,
But gay childhood days they soon turn to weeks,
And the weeks first to months, then to years.
Dragons live forever unless they're slain by knights,
And little girls grow out of dolls and toys.
Fairytales and fantasies make way for other things,
Like best friends, mobile phones, and boys.
Amy's visits lessened, until she rarely came.
Then when dear Grandma passed away.
The garden was neglected, became badly overgrown,
And the little dragon sadly flew away.
To find another little child who was looking for a friend,
A boy or girl with open heart and mind.
Who dreamt of things like fairies, mermaids and unicorns,
An imagination free of worldly bind.
Years went by so slowly after Amy came no more,
But fantasies and dreams they never wain.
Then someone brought the run-down place where Grandma used to live,
The house and garden came to life again.
Flowers were planted, fence repaired,
A child's laughter once more could be heard.
"Mommy, can I play outside?' little Billie asked.
"Of course you can," his mother said, "This was my Grandma's yard."
As Billie approached the still rusty old gate
It creaked and he looked up surprised.
A tiny green dragon appeared at the top,
In front of his little-boy eyes.
Questions & Answers
© 2013 John Hansen
Comments
AUTHORHello again Writer4You2012. Most of these were written some time ago, but Dragon's Gate was added more recently. I am glad you enjoyed it. Thanks again for the kind comment.
Oh, oh, oh! What a delight these poems were. I especially loved The Dragon's Gate. I am a big fan of dragons, wizards, and such. Absolutely wonderful.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Kristen, so glad you enjoyed this collection. I appreciate the vote up too.
Great poems John. Very visual and emotional into this poetry package for this hub. Bravo! Voted up for awesome!
- AUTHOR
Thank you dghbrh, Grunge the a grump was one of my very early poems and has always been special to me. Glad you enjoyed it and I also appreciate the share and vote up.
Grunge The Grump...although each poetry has its own beauty held very nicely within but I enjoyed reading the unusual but so positive poem about the Grunge...Thanks for these beautiful share this morning. Hope you are doing great, John. Shared and voted up awesome.
- AUTHOR
Thanks for reading Audrey, glad you enjoyed these especially the Dragon's Gate. It is the most recently written.
I enjoyed these John, especially the Dragon's Gate
- AUTHOR
Hi Rebecca, I am glad you enjoyed these poems. Thanks for the great comment. Yes I thought that photo suited Grunge the Grump too.
- AUTHOR
Hi Rebecca, I am glad you enjoyed these poems. Thanks for the great comment. Yes I thought that photo suited Grunge the Grump too.
These are great poems for children...well, anyone really. That photo sure goes well with the first one!
- AUTHOR
Thank you so much Mary. Your comment means a lot to me. I appreciate the vote up and share too.
- AUTHOR
Thank you so much Mary. Your comment means a lot to me. I appreciate the vote up and share too.
I absolutely loved these poems; they say SO much. My favorite is The Dragon's Gate, but I loved each of them.
Voted UP, and shared.
- AUTHOR
Hi Vaantha, glad you liked "Off To School Blues". Thanks for reading.
- AUTHOR
Glad you enjoyed these poems Vellur. Thank you for the vote up.
Liked the poem, everyday's tasks for children to get ready for going to school, interesting.
Beautifully penned, each one so nicely expressed. Great write, voted way up.
- AUTHOR
Thanks for spending a few minutes to read these poems again Cam. Funny isn't it, I enjoy writing dark and unsettling pieces but also light and uplifting children's verse. Got to satisfy both sides of the psyche I guess.
John, this was just as much fun this time as it was the first, maybe more. I still like Off to School Blues, But I seem to relate to Grudge the Grump. Thanks for sharing this again.
- AUTHOR
Thank you for taking the time to read these poems Audrey, as a vocal coach and lover of singing I can see why Grunge the Grump is your favourite. So glad you enjoyed these poems and thank you for sharing too.
Your poetry is truly magnificent. Grudge the Grump is my favorite and even brought tears to my eyes. The power of singing is pure magic. The photos are amazing. Voted up and across and happily sharing.
That is okay, Jodah -- I enjoyed reading them as much as I did the first time.
- AUTHOR
Thanks for reading again Phyllis. I thought you had read them, I should have gone to check.
Hi Jodah -- I remember these poems now. Grunge the Grump makes me think of Aesop, too. I enjoyed reading the poems once again. Thank you.
- AUTHOR
Ah dear Aneegma, I made you cry again...I think I may have a tear machine, but I would love a poem machine instead. I wish you luck in the lottery. I'm glad you liked Grunge. He was one of my early poems that I wrote on the train on my way to work. But it does have an important message about acceptance and not judging. Sleep well.
You've done it again! Made me shed tears!! (but these are happy tears, don't worry!) I especially loved the Grudge the Grump one as it reminds me of my grand uncle, he was exactly like that!
I'm buying a lottery ticket this week and if I win, I'm buying you a poem machine so you can write a lot more! Well done John, thank you for putting a smile on my face as this is the last hub am reading for today! Voted up and shared.
- AUTHOR
Thank you for such a kind comment fpherj48. I think we are all young at heart inside. Age is just a number. I am glad you enjoyed these poems and appreciate the vote up.
- AUTHOR
Thanks for reading another of my poetry hubs Fullerman. It is a great compliment.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Jaye for your kind comment, vote up and share. I am glad you enjoyed these and hope your great-grands do too.
Jodah......What sweet and lovely poems....I enjoy them all so much. I feel as though I'm "Young at Heart"....and smiling through your Poetry confirms I truly am.
Only a man of pure heart and kind nature can write of such beautiful simplicity!
Up....UIA & B
Great work again. I am starting to become a fan of your poetry. It has great flow and great rhyme. I am looking forward to reading more in the near future. Keep them coming.
John - The newer poems just add to the delight of this hub. You have a gift for this type of verse. These would make a lovely book of verse for children and gently lead them to like poetry, don't you think? I'm going to read them to my great-grands when they come to visit again.
Voted Up and Awesome
Jaye
- AUTHOR
thanks so much Jamie...much appreciated.
How did I miss these awesome poems? Hey thanks for cheering up my morning, heading off for a hike with the kids. I hope your weekend is memorable. Jamie
- AUTHOR
Thanks Kevin. yes "Puff the Magic Dragon lived by the sea and frollicked in the autumn mist in a land called Hollalee...." one of my favorites too....by Peter, Paul and Mary I think.
The Dragon's Gate was beautiful John. The first thing that came to my mind when I read it was the song "Puff, the Magic Dragon". I used to have it on a yellow 78 RPM when I was a kid and played it over and over. Thumbs up again!
Kevin
- AUTHOR
Thank you Marie, Kevin and Nadine for your kind comments. I have just written and added another poem to this collection since you read it , "The Dragon's Gate".
I absolutely enjoyed all your poems in this post. The message in all of them come through. Grunge The Grump is my favorite! I will share it on Facebook and Google+ Voted up!
I see what you mean about the child inside us. They sure brought out some old memories and I thought that they were funny, and true. I voted them up, F/B/I.
Kevin
A pretty nice flow (I didn't analyse each line for syllable count; there was only one place where I felt a beat was missing). The rhymes are charming, and I especially enjoyed your creativity in word formation.
Voted awesome and beautiful.
- AUTHOR
Thank you very much for reading this collection Cherylann. I try to put a message into most of my poetry but make them fun so it doesn't seem like I am preaching. It is great to see someone new reading my hubs. The Spider was one of the first poems I ever wrote. Glad you enjoyed it.
All these poems are so amazing and well-written. They have a playful air about them that makes them fun to read but they also have such nice messages. I particularly liked the poem, 'The Spider.' That one really got me thinking about chance and how good and bad experiences are so subjective!
- AUTHOR
Thank you Phyllis, I always appreciate your kind comments. I am glad the child in you enjoys these poems, the child in me enjoyed writing them.
Such delightful poems, Jodah. I love them ! You are very talented and I can imagine children really enjoying these poems -- well, the child in me sure enjoys them. They are for children of all ages. Very well done. You have a special gift that is wonderful.
- AUTHOR
Thank you for reading these poems truthfornow. I am glad you enjoyed them and they gave you a smile.
Enjoyed them all, especially Grunge and the School Blues. Kids and adults both can appreciate. Put a smile on my face - thanks.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Stages Of Me, glad you had a read and enjoyed them. Feel free to share them, thanks for you kind comments.
Jodah ~
Love love love Grunge the Grump, actually love all of these. The school blues is funny and true. I imagine children love these I plan to share them. Thanks for sharing ~
- AUTHOR
Thank you for the generous comment Minnetonka Twin. It's funny how different poems touch different people. After all it is our aim as writers and poets to have our work affect people(hopefully in good ways).
Absolutely beautiful writing. What a great collection of poetry. My favorite one that brought the kid out in me was the moth that got away. Your really a talented writer.
- AUTHOR
I began to reply to you all but for some reason my comments were deleted before I saved them so I'll reply to you all together.
Thank you Jaye, Nellieanna, tillsontitan, and cam8510.
I'm very honored that tillsontitan and cam8510 think 'Grunge the Grump' would make a good children's book. In fact I wrote it on the train while commuting to work. I had no idea what I was about to write and the words just jumped into my head rhyming and all. I was amazed to have written this in one hour without any planning.
'Off to School Blues' was written from my experience getting my own children off to school also many years ago now, but I think most parents can relate. Most poems I have written based on my family have a humorous tone. I wrote 'The Spider' about the same time as 'Butterfly' in my other hub 'Love and Other Muses'. My love of nature often raises it's head in my writing. Once again, thank you thank you for your encouragement, but don't feel obliged to always praise my work. Constructive criticism is also valued and learnt from.
- AUTHOR
Well, I certainly wasn't expected this avalanche of delightful and encouraging comments so soon. I will try to reply to everyone, but if I happen to miss replying to anyone personally it wasn't intentional I promise. I will also check out everyone's hubs and follow you, comment etc, just have to find the time to get to them all.
Beautiful poems, Jodah. I agree with tillsontitan, it should be a children's book. The poem about children getting ready for school brought back fond memories of my sons and getting them off to school each morning. up and beautiful.
What lovely poems! I think "The Grunge" should be a children's book as it tells such a lovely and touching tale.
Voted up, beautiful, and interesting.
Jodah - I love these two poems. as Jaye has said - they are both so totally suitable to their messages, which they bring home so well! Good stuff!
The "Grunge" poem is a lovely commentary on why we should look beyond outward appearance.
"The Spider" beautifully shows in a few verses how quickly circumstances can change.
And, the poem about kids getting ready for school brought a chuckle, especially the last line. Although it's been decades since I was sending my children off to school, I can still recall the morning rush.
I hope you will dust off more of your work and publish it on HP.
Voted Up++ and shared
Jaye
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